Los Angeles @ Las Vegas preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 18, 2016 ) Oakland 19, Los Angeles 16

The Oakland Raiders are expected to have their star quarterback on the field Sunday as they attempt to halt a three-game slide when they host the AFC West-rival Los Angeles Chargers. Derek Carr is slated to return after missing just one game due to a transverse process fracture in his back as Oakland still plans to host the contest despite an unhealthy level of air quality caused by the devastating wildfires in the Bay Area.

The showdown could be moved to Levi's Stadium in San Francisco if needed, but regardless of where it takes place, all signs point to Carr being under center for the Raiders. "We have to make good decisions, sound decisions, for the quarterback, for all of our players, or for Derek in this particular case," Oakland coach Jack Del Rio told The Mercury News. "If the doctors give him the green light and he's prepared to play well and protect himself, then he's going to go." Carr was injured in the Raiders' 16-10 loss at Denver on Oct. 1 but had a miserable showing in a 27-10 setback at Washington the previous week, completing 19-of-31 passes for only 118 yards and a touchdown while throwing his first two interceptions of the season. Los Angeles is coming off a 27-22 road win over the New York Giants after beginning the campaign with four straight losses, although three of the defeats were by a combined seven points.

TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: OFF. O/U: OFF

ABOUT THE CHARGERS (1-4): Los Angeles is hoping for another strong performance from Melvin Gordon, who was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week after rushing for 105 yards on 20 carries and making six catches for 58 yards and a pair of touchdowns versus the Giants. The 24-year-old, who is tied for the league lead among running backs with three receiving TDs, gained a total of 114 yards on 36 rushes over his previous three games. Philip Rivers has excelled in Oakland of late, passing for 949 yards and eight touchdowns with only two interceptions in his last three visits.

ABOUT THE RAIDERS (2-3): Oakland added to its defensive backfield Tuesday, signing Demetrius McCray as a free agent after the cornerback spent training camp with Seattle before being released due to an ankle injury. The 26-year-old McCray, who played for Jacksonville from 2013-15, was brought into the fold after defensive tackle Darius Latham was handed a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. Michael Crabtree recorded his fourth receiving touchdown in last week's 30-17 loss to Baltimore, matching the total of the rest of the team.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Raiders are one of three teams in the league (Chicago, Miami) yet to record an interception.

2. Los Angeles LB Melvin Ingram (7.5) and DE Joey Bosa have combined for 12 sacks, the most in the league among two teammates.

3. Oakland has won the last four meetings, including a 34-31 decision at home on Oct. 9, 2016.

PREDICTION: Raiders 24, Chargers 19